Economic Keystones: The Weight System of the Kingdom of Judah

Overview

This book presents a full picture of the weight system of Iron Age Judah, based on archaeological finds, historical sources and biblical texts. This book offers a complete picture of the weight system of Iron Age Judah, involving a careful study of the typology, date, context, weight standards, inscription and function of hundreds of weights (with a full catalogue). As against the common view, the author suggests that all the weights belong to one system based on one basic sheqel standard. The weights are mostly not royal weights and have nothing to do with Josiah's reform. The “sheqel of the sanctuary” was never used in practice in First-Temple Judah. The study leads to new insights about the relation of the Judean system to other weight systems, as well as about international trade and the economy of the Kingdom of Judah.

Key Features

Includes scholarly findings of Old Testament scholars, historians, and archeologists

All references to the Old Testament are linked to original language texts and English translations in your library

Product Details

Title: Economic Keystones: The Weight System of the Kingdom of Judah

Author: Raz Kletter

Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press

Publication Date: 1998

Pages: 299

About Raz Kletter

Raz Kletter is Lecturer in the Land of Israel Studies Department at Haifa University, and Excavating Archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority.